Student Achievements

Outstanding Achievement at the Victorian Brain Bee Competition

Congratulations to Matias Martin Garcia from 10A Enhancement on an outstanding achievement in the 2026 Victorian Brain Bee Competition.

The Victorian competition forms part of the Australian and New Zealand Brain Bee Challenge, a neuroscience competition for Year 10 students in Australia that encourages young people to learn more about the brain and its functions. The competition challenges students to develop their knowledge and understanding of neuroscience, while also providing opportunities to learn about neuroscience research and potential careers in the field.

Earlier this year, students participated in Round 1 of the Brain Bee Challenge, with high-achieving students invited to progress to Round 2. We were incredibly proud to have two Pakenham Secondary College students, Matias and Nadia Howard, selected to advance from Round 1, earning the opportunity to compete alongside other high-achieving students from across Victoria.

Round 2 was held at the University of Melbourne on Monday, 10th August, where Matias and Nadia put their neuroscience knowledge to the test.

Matias performed exceptionally well throughout the competition, achieving the fantastic result of progressing through to the final stage of competition on the day.

Reaching this stage is an impressive accomplishment, particularly given the level of knowledge and preparation required. The Victorian competition brings together students who have already demonstrated a strong understanding of neuroscience through their performance in the initial qualifying round.

We are extremely proud of Matias and Nadia for earning their places in Round 2 and representing Pakenham Secondary College at such a prestigious academic competition. Their success is a fantastic achievement and reflects their willingness to challenge themselves and further explore their interest in neuroscience.

Congratulations to you both!